Gustafson monologue (Act 5) — Plays by August Strindberg, Third Series

Now, I remember something--I should have a bridal bouquet ready for to-night, and I should go to my son's wedding, but I have no flowers, and my black coat has been burned. Wouldn't that make you--Mrs. Westerlund was to furnish the myrtle for the bride's crown, being her godmother--that's the myrtle she stole a shoot of from the dyer's cook, who got hers from the dyer's first wife--she who ran away--and I was to make a crown of it, and I've clean forgotten it--well, if I ain't the worst fool that ever walked the earth! [_He opens the inn door_] Mrs. Westerlund, can I have the myrtle now, and I'll do the job!--I say, can I have that myrtle! Wreath, too, you say--have you got enough for it?--No?--Well, then I'll let the whole wedding go hang, that's all there is to it!--Let them walk up to the minister's and have him splice them together, but it'll make the stone-cutter mad as a hornet.--What do you think I should do?--No, I can't--haven't slept a wink the whole night.--It's too much for a poor human creature.--Yes, I am a ninny, I know--go for me, will you!--Oh, there's the pot--thanks! And then I need scissors, which I haven't got--and wire--and string--where am I to get them from?--No, of course, nobody wants to break off his work for a thing like that.--I'm tired of the whole mess--work fifty years, and then have it go up in smoke! I haven't got strength to begin over again--and the way it comes all at once, blow on blow--did you ever! I'm going to run away from it! [_He goes out_.